The Lacey City Council officially proclaimed March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility, reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity and support for transgender, gender nonconforming and nonbinary individuals in the community.
The proclamation, which was read during the council meeting on Tuesday, March 18, highlighted the historical and ongoing struggles faced by transgender individuals.
“The Lacey City Council is committed to creating a community where all are welcome, feel safe and fully accepted and embraced and respected and can live openly in an authentic and accurate representation of who they are free of violence harassment and discrimination,” the proclamation read.
The proclamation also referenced the legacy of the Stonewall Riots and the activism of transgender women of color, underscoring the importance of recognizing the contributions of transgender individuals.
The city council's proclamation emphasized both achievements and challenges faced by transgender communities.
"Despite this progress, Americans who are transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary continue to face discrimination, barriers to opportunity, harassment and possibilities of violence," the council proclamation states, citing data from the U.S. Department of Justice that reports transgender individuals experience violent victimization at 2.5 times the rate of cisgender individuals.
Following the proclamation, representatives from local LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations expressed their gratitude and highlighted ongoing struggles.
Lucas Miller, a board member of PFLAG-Olympia, took the podium to thank the council for its support.
"It’s easy to stand up when times are easy," Miller said. "But when people are telling you that your very identity is going to be legislated out of existence, that’s when it becomes a real act of courage for allies to stand with us."
Quinn Snow, representing The New Boys Club, a peer support group for transgender and nonbinary individuals, also addressed the council.
"These gestures help us feel safer," said Snow, noting the increasing challenges faced by transgender individuals nationwide, including difficulties in obtaining accurate identification documents.
The proclamation concluded with a call to action, encouraging Lacey residents to "celebrate and respect the lives and voices of individuals who are transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary and to work towards eliminating violence and discrimination in all forms.”
Mayor Andy Ryder reaffirmed the city's commitment to inclusivity.
"Lacey is a place for you to feel safe and welcome," he said.
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RedskinPatriot
Here's a list of some notable LGBTQ+ awareness dates and events:
February:
Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week (February 20-26)
March:
Zero Discrimination Day (March 1)
Bisexual Health Awareness Month (March)
International Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31)
April:
Asexuality Day (April 6)
Day of Silence (April 22)
International Lesbian Visibility Day (April 26)
May:
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) (May 17)
Agender Pride Day (May 19)
Pansexual Visibility Day (May 24)
June:
Pride Month (June)
July:
International Non-Binary People's Day (July 14)
November:
Intersex Solidarity Day (November 8)
International Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20)
October:
International Lesbian Day (October 8)
Intersex Awareness Day (October 26)
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Veterans, Christmas, Independence, Memorial, all get 1 - ONE, Day.
Saturday, March 22 Report this
Southsoundguy
Mental illness validation virtue signaling day.
Monday, March 24 Report this
wolfmanner
March 31 > Perversion day.
Sunday, March 30 Report this